Peyton’s neck should be fine Lard 3-9-12

Douglas LeeMar 9, 2012 7:42 AM

Happy Friday, Broncos fans! According to multiple spine specialists, the health of Peyton Manning's neck is not an issue, assuming his fusion procedures were a success. Rather, they say the bone should actually be stronger now, and the only real question is whether Manning's arm strength is where it needs to be. The doctors USA Today spoke to echo these sentiments. With that out of the way, let's check in on Denver's presumed competition for his services:

The Dolphins are apparently all in on Manning, to the point that they haven't yet expressed interest in Matt Flynn. Coach Joe Philbin says the team hasn't yet spoken with the QB but confirms they hope to in the coming days. FWIW, Reggie Wayne would love to end up in Miami with Peyton.

Contrary to yesterday's report, Mike Florio is hearing that Peyton has not told Washington they're out of the running, even if that still appears the likely outcome.

Adam Teicher acknowledges that the Chiefs certainly have the cap room, but he thinks adding Manning would be quite a divergence from the franchise's plan to build for the long term.

As for the Niners, there is still a gap between them and Alex Smith in terms of both years and guaranteed money on a potential deal. Are they not budging because they're considering a run at Manning?

Cleveland hadn't really been mentioned as a possible suitor, but just to make sure, GM Tom Heckert says the Browns are not interested in Manning. He also acknowledges that he's spoken with the Rams about the #2 pick and RG3.

In case you forgot this is all about straight cash, the Colts didn't even wait for the body to cool before hawking Manning #18 memorabilia.

Why Manning could come to Denver

Mike Klis sees the same reasoning we do that a Peyton/Broncos marriage makes sense.

Jeff Legwold says the Broncos' interest is legit, and he thinks Denver is at least as much a fit for Peyton as any of the other possible destinations. Plus, he says this pursuit makes clear what we've known all along - that John Elway isn't that enamored with Tim Tebow.

Gee, even ESPN's stupid Total QBR says Manning is a better QB than Tebow. Go figure.

Why he's likely to head elsewhere

The self-serving Woody Paige claims the Broncos have no chance at Peyton, and that since Manning is seeking an "immediate SB contender" Miami makes the most sense. He also continues to beat the hilarious "Manning and Tebow share respresentation" drum, makes the inane leap that John Fox wouldn't want to run a Manning offense, and tops it all off by mentioning that Peyton Hillis wants back to Denver. Look, reasonable arguments can certainly be made that other teams would make more sense for Manning - just see the subsequent columns here from Tanier and Benoit. Chalking the decision up to agents and John Fox is pure nonsense.

Brandon Lloyd is so desperate to join the Pats that he's already hinting at taking less money to do so.

Cortland Finnegan is trying to recruit Vincent Jackson to sign in tandem with him someplace, potentially Tampa Bay.

Scrapple

John Clayton says the lower franchise tag values of the new CBA have given teams significant leverage; chalk another one up for ownership.

Bill Barnwell looks for 2011 free agents to compare to this year's crop, and he lists the teams that cannot spend big in free agency due to either a need to lock up incumbent players or a lack of cap room.

I just checked the rankings on cbs Sports for CBs. Trumaine Johnson is the 6th ranked CB and is #53 overall. That sounds like a 2nd rounder to me.

If Manning comes to Denver, I hope that Lloyd does as well.

Thanks for the Lard, Doug.

Posted by BlackKnigh on 2012-03-09 14:21:21

I don't think Jax is desperate enough to give away a first round pick for Tebow. I wouldn't use a high first rounder on a RB. I personally would go with the LB out of BC before anyone else.

Posted by akatom3565 on 2012-03-09 11:39:05

O & B I really think it would waste his covering abilities to make the switch to safety. He appears to have enought speed and ability to be able to cover the bigger receivers that are so prominent in the NFL. Granted he played in smaller division team here in Montana compared to big school teams in other parts of the country. I think he could be another lower round pick with promise. He will probably be looked at by Fisher as if I remember correctly Trumaine played with Fisher's boy at the U of M., so my guess is he will got to the Rams

Posted by akatom3565 on 2012-03-09 11:36:22

I hear ya, yahoo. I have altered accordingly.

Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2012-03-09 11:04:30

O&B, you're a nice a guy and a valuable member around these here parts. But it's getting really f*&@ng hard to look at your avatar every day.

Posted by yahoo-IDJBD2ET73WSI3H2UJ2SBAOS4A on 2012-03-09 10:48:17

ohio, KC weather can be more consistently putrid agree and yes very true that the Denver pass D has made things pretty easy for Manning (sadly) regardless of weather. But AZ and Miami both win the weather part of the criteria easy - I think it has to be part of his decision-making. He'll see what Warner did in AZ and view it as the best choice IMO.

akatom, do you see Trumaine as strictly a CB? Still not a bad choice potentially.

Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2012-03-09 10:45:30

The ideal "if Manning comes to Denver" scenario. Trade Tebow to Jacksonville for their first. Pick Richardson, Claiborne or trade down. Pick a QB to groom with 25 or trade down into upper 2nd for QB there.

Posted by FtCoNative on 2012-03-09 10:44:53

I have watched T Johnson for many years, I just don't see him making the transition to Safety. I agree that Shanahan whiffed on draft players along with free agents, but this isn't Shanahan making this call. I like Tebow but can we really honestly say Peyton at 85 % wouldn't be better than Tebow is now? One thing I can't help thinking about is would Peyton risk his legacy, by not being able to play.

Posted by akatom3565 on 2012-03-09 10:33:29

I'd give Denver the weather edge over KC. Even in the winter, inclement weather games are generally the exception. The weather has never seemed to bother Peyton in Denver before. Of course neither has the Denver defense.

The Adam Teicher article re: Chiefs is the most similar to the actual situation with Denver - plenty of cap space and in the early stages of a rebuilding program. The Chiefs defense more advanced than Denver's, yet Denver has the better coaches tho IMO (coincidentally, anyone else notice that KC, Denver and now Oakland have defensive-minded head coaches). Neither KC nor Denver has weather on its side. It's still Miami or Arizona to me.

I hope this Manning thing gets resolved before Tuesday's free agency - and I hope he goes elsewhere. I like Manning (except when he crushed us) but this reeks of Shanahan plug in big time veteran when there are many other holes to fill to be a contending team. Let's get this next season out of the way and if it fails, then look at next yr's crop of QBs to draft.

Amazing how all the veteran safeties are barely 6'0" if not 5'8" (Leonhard). This makes a case for drafting Iloka or Trumaine Johnson (6'3" and 6'2", respectively) unless we can find a great coverage WLB (possibly Zach Brown) in the 2nd rd.

Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2012-03-09 10:07:13

agree on all your points

Posted by Orange_and_Blue on 2012-03-09 09:52:11

I've decided the Manning thing would be something I would be excited about if it happens but relieved if it doesn't.

Just when I think Rivers can't be any more of a tool he tops himself.

Posted by ohiobronco on 2012-03-09 09:23:29

Can someone please explain how the Fins are poised to go to the Superbowl, oh right it is Woody1